Regional boarding ramp for commuter aircraft

ABSTRACT

A walkway having a series of fixed height corridor units and an inclined gangway unit at its forward end. The units are articulatingly connected and selectively collapsible. The gangway is selectively variable in height, being provided with elevating means at its front end, to permit docking at the raised door sill of the commuter aircraft.

[0001] This application incorporates the subject matter of ProvisionalApplication No. 60/203,722, filed May 12, 2000. All rights to saidProvisional Application are claimed herein.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] The present invention relates to a walkway for protecting themovement of airline passengers to and from aircraft and in particular toa movable ramp passenger walkway for the protective movement ofpassengers between the ground and the doorway of the aircraft.

[0003] In my earlier U.S. Pat. No. 5,603,343 there is disclosed acollapsible articulating ground passageway having a plurality ofindependent U-shaped frame sections that are articulately connected inan end to end series to form a flexible corridor. The passagewaydisclosed in my prior patent is adapted to communicate with a commuteraircraft at a first end and with the airport terminal at the other.These passageways were designed and intended for use on the ground withsmaller commuter type aircraft which generally have door still wellsbelow 6 feet. At present there still is no bridge or pathway apparatuswhich can dock with a commuter aircraft with a still well between 6 and16 feet in height having the capability of extending and retractingwhile simultaneously swinging left and right as well as varying inheight to meet the individual still wells of varying sized aircraft.

[0004] It is apparent that numerous innovations for walkways, loadingbridges and similar devices have been provided in the prior art.However, even though these innovations may be suitable for the specificindividual purposes to which they address, they would not be suitablefor the purposes of the present invention as hereinafter described.

[0005] It is therefore, an object of the present invention to provide apassenger walkway overcoming the disadvantages inherent in the priorart.

[0006] It is an object of the present invention to provide a passengerwalkway adapted to communicate between an airport ground terminal and avarying sized commuter aircraft having between a “zero” heightapplication to a 16 foot height application.

[0007] It is yet another object of the present invention to provide apassenger walkway easily moved from one location to another.

[0008] It is still another object of the present invention to provide apassenger walkway with an integral floor from the terminal to theaircraft.

[0009] It is yet another object of the present invention to provide apassenger walkway can be easily deployed.

[0010] It is a further object of the present invention to provide apassenger walkway simple and inexpensive to manufacture and maintain.

[0011] The foregoing objects, together with other objects andadvantages, will be apparent from the following disclosure of thepresent invention.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0012] According to the present invention there is provided a walkwayhaving a series of fixed height corridor sections and a ramp section.The sections are joined in an articulating manner so that the pluralityof corridor sections may be deployed over a long distance as from aterminal or bus to the aircraft. Each section is provided with a floorto permit passengers to walk above the ground between the bus and theaircraft. The ramp section is variable in height to accommodate dockingwith aircraft of varying heights. A top and side cover of each sectionis provided with a weather proof fabric for protection of passengersfrom inclement weather as they pass to and from the aircraft.

[0013] Full details of the present invention are set forth in thefollowing description and accompanying illustration of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0014] The invention will be best understood by reference to thefollowing drawings, wherein:

[0015]FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of the ramped passagewayaccording to the present invention docked at one end to the terminal busand at its other end to an aircraft;

[0016]FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the frame structure forming thepassageway shown in FIG. 1;

[0017]FIG. 3 is a perspective view of an expanded frame section of thepassageway according to the present invention;

[0018]FIG. 4A is a perspective view of the frame sections shown in FIG.3 with the frame section collapsed;

[0019]FIG. 4B is a reverse perspective view of the frame section shownin FIG. 4A;

[0020]FIG. 5 is a front elevational view of the frame section shown inFIG. 3;

[0021]FIG. 6 is a side elevational view of the frame section shown inFIG. 3;

[0022]FIG. 7 is a side elevational view of the frame section shown inFIG. 4B;

[0023]FIG. 8 is a top plan view of the walkway illustrating thearticulated relationship between the sections; and

[0024]FIG. 9 is a side elevational view of the gangway section showingthe various inner elements of the gangway.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0025] The movable walkway of the present invention depicted by thenumeral 10, is generally illustrated in FIG. 1. As illustrated thewalkway is installed to permit passengers to walk from a bus 12 (or froma terminal exit) directly to an aircraft 14 waiting on the airport apron16.

[0026] The construction of the walkway 10 is illustrated in FIG. 2,without any enclosure or covering. The walkway 10, thus is formed offrame like skeleton structures divided into a plurality of sections eachsimilar in construction to that shown in my earlier patent, namely aplurality of partially collapsible fixed height corridor sections 22(only one shown) and an inclined gangway section 24. The corridorsections 22 are articulately connected to each other and to the inclinedgangway 24 in sequence, in a manner to be described hereinafter, withrespect to FIG. 8.

[0027] The construction of each corridor section 22 is shown in detailin FIGS. 3. through 7. Each corridor section 22 comprises a plurality ofU-shaped supports 26. Preferably, three supports 26 are used, as suchnumber enables construction of a corridor section of optimum length formovement, linear coverage and mass. Each support 26 is formed (FIG. 5)of a pair of vertically disposed tubular legs 28 and a connecting roofarch beam 30. The vertical legs 28 each terminate at their upper ends ina clevis 32 into which the respective ends of the individual arched roofbeam 30 seat. The cross-section of the vertical upright legs 28 issomewhat larger than that of the arched roof beam 32 and suitable boltsor pins inserted therethrough hold the arched roof beam 32 fixedly tothe upright legs 28 much in the manner shown in my earlier patent.

[0028] The U-shaped supports 26 are interconnected by a plurality ofhorizontal cross braces 34. Generally, the cross braces 34 will be fixedat each of their ends to the vertical legs 28, by suitable bolts orweldments so as to rigidly maintain the vertical supports 26 aligned andparallel with one another. In this arrangement, the length of eachcorridor 22 is fixed. Preferably, however, it is desirable to be able atleast to partially collapse the corridor sections 22 so as to reducetheir length permitting the overall length of the walkway to be reducedto meet the distance between bus (or terminal) 12 and the aircraft 14and to reduce the overall bulk of the walkway 10 for storage.

[0029] To affect collapsibility of each corridor section 22 alternatevertical supports 26, (central support when only three supports areused) are provided with a cuff like guide 36 fixed in alignment witheach of the braces 34. In this manner a three support corridor isdivided into two portions, denominated for conveyance as the anterior Aand the posterior B portions. The set of the braces 34, of the anteriorportion are not attached to the center support but freely move throughthe corresponding guide 36. In this manner the portions A & B canseemingly telescope with respect to each other as seen in the figures.

[0030] A sub-flooring, generally depicted by the numeral 38 is providedas seen in detail in FIG. 2. The sub-flooring 38 comprises an array oflongitudinal braces 40 similar to the braces 34 and arranged similarlyas described above so that one set of braces 40 slide freely throughcuff-like guides 42 fixed to the corresponding support 26, thusmaintaining the collapsibility.

[0031] Interconnecting the opposed floor brace 40 is an array oflongitudinal and transverse floor beams 44. Each arrangement of braces40 and floor beams 44 are staggered at different levels to each other,to maintain collapsibility, by sliding one over the other as seen inFIGS. 4a, 4 b & 6. The sub-floor is arranged upward of the lower ends 46of the vertical legs so as to be spaced from the ground. Each verticalleg 28 is provided with a roller or caster 48 at its lower end. (for thesake of clarity not all the drawings show the rollers.)

[0032] The floor of each section is completed by attaching a centraldeck plate 50 over each sub floor 38. At the free end of the deck plate50 in the anterior portion A of each corridor there is attached aninclined transitional ramp 52, hanging down to the ground. Thetransitional ramp 52 is provided with a folded-in bottom 54 forming alip resting stabilly on the ground. The free end of the deck plate 50 inthe posterior portion B extends as a short shelf like member 56 adaptedto extend outwardly over the adjacent floor in the next sequentialcorridor or gangway section. Of course the dimension of the sub-floor 38and the plate 50 are such that telescoping movement of the anterior andposterior portions A and B are not hindered. The transitional ramp 52and the extensions 56 are provided with holes 57 which will registerwith each other on serially arranging the corridors so as to form pivotbearings allow the corridors 22 to articulate or swing relative to eachother with a defined arc.

[0033] Returning to FIG. 2, the gangway 24 is constructed having aplurality of vertically oriented U-shaped supports 58 and horizontalbraces 60, similar to those used in formation of the rigid fixed section22, except that they increase in height from the anterior end 62 wherethey are aligned and equal in height to those forming the corridorsection 22 to a height at its posterior end 64 capable of fullyenclosing the doorway opening of any commuter or small aircraft. Asecond distinction between the gangway 24 and the corridor 22 lies inthe fact that the frame structure is not collapsible and the braces 60are fixedly on the vertical supports held at each end as well as betweenthe ends to form a fixed length passageway.

[0034] The gangway 24 is provided with a raisable sub-floor, generallydepicted by the numeral formed of parallel side beams and a plurality ofcross beams in the arrangement of a ladder. The sub-floor 66 ispivotedly attached at its rear anterior end 68 to the lower beams of thegangway 24 so as to be raisable at its posterior end 64, by means of acarriage assembly 70 slideably mounted in the lower most anterior brace72, which is formed in the shape of a c-channel. (see also FIG. 9.)

[0035] Secured over the sub-flooring 66 is one or more deck plates 74,forming a continuous ramp from the anterior end, 68 to the posterior end64. At the posterior end 64, an auxiliary deck plate 76 extendsforwardly to form a continuous extension ramp through the gangway 24.

[0036] At the extreme forward end of the gangway passage 24 there islocated a horizontal stable platform 78, which is guided within a pairof horizontally opposed rails 80, so as to be able to reciprocally slidebetween a first position cantilevered outward from the gangway passage24 to a second storage position within the gangway 24. The rails 80 arethemselves guided by vertical tracks 82 and are connected to theposterior end of the sub-flooring 66, by a curved hinge 84 (FIG. 9).

[0037] The stable platform 78 is raised and lowered selectively by ascissor type elevating mechanism 86. The upper and lower ends of thescissor 86 ride is horizontal rails 88, fixed to the lower portion ofthe vertical support, while the upper ends of the scissors 86, ride inthe respective horizontal rails 80. The scissor 86 is actuated by areversible electric motor 90 and screw transmission system 92 to elevatethe platforms 78 and the forward end of the sub-floor 66. Having theanterior end 68 of the sub-floor mounted in a slidable carriage 70avoids binding or other problems, as the sub-floor 66 is raised at theposterior end.

[0038] In this manner an inclined ramp 94 is formed within the gangway24 which can be elevated to the proper height of the aircraft door andwhereby the stable platform 78 can be extended to abut the door sillproviding a smooth walking transition for the passengers from groundlevel to aircraft level.

[0039] As seen in FIG. 8 the anterior end of the inclined gangway 24 isprovided with an extended tongue 100, which passes beneath the posteriorshelf 56 of the adjacent corridor section 22, and is pinned thereto soas to permit the inclined gangway 24 to swing in an articulating arc.FIG. 8, also shows the pivot pin arranged between the aligned corridorsection 22.

[0040] As seen in FIG. 2, there is provided a laterally extendingbracket 102 fixed to the lower most portion of the posterior end of thegangway 24. This bracket 102 is employed to allow a motive drive devicesuch as an electric cart to be hooked thereto enabling the operator ofthe cart to easily maneuver and move the walkway.

[0041] The corridor and inclined gangway sections 22 and 24 are coveredin the manner described in my earlier patent with a fabric cover capableof maintaining suitable condition within the walkway no matter theanterior weather condition. The fabric may be provided with windows,removable panels or screens. As seen in FIG. 2, herein rigid plastic ormetal wall panels can be installed along the bottom of the corridor orinclined gangway sections 22 and 24 to insure the absence of rain orsnow with the passageway.

[0042] Thus it will be seen that the objects desired by the presentinvention have all been met.

[0043] Various embodiments and modifications have been suggested hereinand other changes and modifications will be obvious to those skilled inthis art. Therefore, it is intended that the present disclosure be givenwide scope and the invention limited only by the claims appended hereto.

What is claimed is:
 1. A boarding ramp for forming a protective passageway for permitting loading of passengers from the ground exit of an airport terminal or vehicle to commuter aircraft having a door sill at a different height from the level of the terminal or vehicle, comprising at least one corridor unit having its rear end abuttable to the terminal or vehicle at the exit thereof and at its forward end provided with a gang way selectively inclinable from the level of said terminal or vehicle to the door sill of the aircraft.
 2. The boarding ramp according to claim 1, wherein a plurality of corridor units are arranged end to end in series, each corridor unit being formed of at least two sections having a U-shaped frame provided with a pair of transversely separated legs, a connecting roof support and a flooring brace at the lower end of the vertical legs on which a deck is located, the frame supports and flooring braces of one section being at a level different from those of the other sections allowing said sections to be telescoped one within the other.
 3. The boarding ramp according to claim 2, having a transitional deck plage extending from the end of said corridor unit and pivotally connectable to the next corridor unit in said series to permit passengers to traverse thereover.
 4. The boarding ramp according to claim 3, having roller means allowing said corridor units to be selectively moved over the ground between said ground exit of said terminal or vehicle and the aircraft.
 5. The boarding ramp according to claim 4, wherein each corridor unit is provided with a protective covering sheltering said passengers.
 6. The boarding ramp according to claim 1, wherein said at least one corridor unit comprises an elongated frame open at each end, and said gangway is housed in a corridor unit of increasing height from said at least one corridor unit to encompass the height of the aircraft door, and said gangway is pivotally attached at its rear end to the lower end of said frame at its rear open end and pivoted with means for elevating the gangway at its forward end to the height of the door sill of the aircraft.
 7. The boarding ramp according to claim 6, wherein said gangway forms an inclined floor is covered with decking permitting the passengers to walk thereon.
 8. The boarding ramp according to claim 6, wherein said gangway has a horizontal plate at its forward end which is selectively extendible outward of its front end to form a transition floor from said gangway into said aircraft.
 9. The boarding ramp according to claim 8, including guide means cooperatively located on the frame of said corridor unit and said horizontal plate to maintain said plate horizontal as it is extendible.
 10. The boarding ramp according to claim 6, wherein said means for elevating said gangway, comprising reversible motor means and transmission means operable remotely from said ramp.
 11. The boarding ramp according to claim 10, wherein said transmission means comprise a pair of scissor levers located on each side of said corridor frame, the levers are guides in said frame at the lower ends thereof and movable in said guides by the transmission.
 12. The boarding ramp according to claim 11, wherein said scissors are attached to said horizontal plate and said horizontal plate is pivotally attached to the end of said gangway, whereby the movement of said transmission is directed to both the horizontal plate and said gangway at the same time. 